Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. John 5:5-9
The paralyzed man was focused on scarcity of the situation. Scarcity is bound to produce competition because there is so much available resources. People are motivated to jump on the opportunity and elbow those around them to make sure they get there first. However, since the paralyzed man couldn’t compete, he just felt victimized by it.
God is not the God of scarcity while He allows lack in certain seasons for His purpose. It is in the place of scarcity that we must press into faith and look to God who owns ” the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). His resources never come to an end. He is able to come through for us via natural and supernatural resources. He can overrule any scarcity in our lives! Thank you Jesus!
Jesus asked the paralytic man a simple but profound question. ‘Do you want to get well?” This question is important in two respects. First of all, this man had created a lifestyle out of being paralyzed. He had new routines and new friends at the pool that he could commiserate with. He could even possibly get some monetary assistance from others. If he really desired to get well, he had to put all these things behind him and start fresh. The society, his family, and his friends would start expecting more from him.
The second factor with Jesus’ question is that He never addressed the people or the lack of opportunity to get into the pool. That was not His focus. The man’s healing was connected to God’s will and timing rather than the pool and the people!
If we desire to see change in our lives, we need to be willing to say good-bye to victim mentality and come out of the mindset of being stuck because of people or circumstances. No one can make us feel stuck unless we give them power to do it. Instead of focusing on the problem or the person, we keep looking to God to help us overcome the situation. He will give us the grace and the wisdom to help us rise above it. We hope for His deliverance, His way, and His timing!
Jesus finally told the paralyzed man to take up his mat and start walking. The mat was a representation of everything he leaned on and depended on up to that point. No longer was he going to need the mat. He was now free to walk, move away from the pool, and start living life fully. Scarcity overruled! Praise God!
Are there certain situations or people who make you feel victimized? Do you have any “mat” that you have learned to depend on? What will you do about it today?
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